Automobile turn signal



June 26, 1928.

A. WILLIAMSON AUTOMOBILE TURN SIGNAL Filed Nov. 29, 1926 atlngtheindicator; and Fig. 4 1s a cross sectlontaken onthe line Patented June26, 1928.

UNITED STATES 411201.211 WILLIAMSON, or MINNEAPOLIS, MIivNEso'i'AiAUTOMOBILE TURN SIGNAL.

" Application filed November 29, 1926. Serial'No. 151,345.

This invention relates to automobile signals and especially to signalsadapted to be mounted on motor vehicles to indicate the turning ordirection of travel thereof.

. The main object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple buthighly efficient turn signal for automobiles which may be clearlyvisible from both sides of the car, to drivers and to pedestrians, andwhich will from'a single indicator designateboth right. and left turns.A further object is to provide in an automobile turn signal, apparatusincluding an outwardly extending oscillatory signal mechanism adapted tobe mounted on an automobile in' position to be seen from both'sides ofthe car and'capableof'being turned to right or left direction to signalturns in said directions. 1 p i Another'object to provide a signalapparatus including a pair ofoscillatory indicating arms,.one disposedadjacenteach end of the automobile, each being capable of oscillation inright or, left directions and both being interconnected with simpleoperulating both, to indicate right or left turns. These and otherobjects of the "invention will be apparent from the followingdescription made in connection with the ac-' companying drawings whereinlike characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views,andin which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical view-showing a 1 preferred embodiment of. myapparatus mounted on an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a verticalsection through'one of' the signalling devices.

' Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on theline 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing themeans for oper- 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing the connection between theoperating means and the rear signal device. 1

Referring "tothe drawings 1n detail, 5

indicates the radiator of a standard type of automobile, 6 the hood,7the cowl, 8 the vertical partitionbetween, the engine and the body, and9the dash or instrument board.

-My invention generally stated may comprise one or two signalmechanisms'located at the front and rear of the car respectively,

each in position to beseen from both sides of the car, and simple andefficient-meains' or other securing means. swivelly mounted thereon thegoose neck employed, and for simultaneously causing said signals to beilluminated. 'It is, of course, understood that either of the signalmechanisms, which are identical in structure,may be employedseparately'within the scope of this invention.

The two signalling mechanisms each comprise preferably a tubular shapedmember or pedestal 10, having an annular seat 10 within the upper endthereof, and rigidly carrying a vertical flange or attaching base 11 atits lower end apertured to receive bolts Bedestals 10 have indicatingarms 12, which have their lower ends rotatably seated in seats 10 Theupper horizontally extending portions of indi [eating arms 12 carry.arrow shaped indicators' A, which maybe constructed of translucentmaterial, such as celluloid or glass secured to a suitablefianged'sleeve 14, sleeve for operating both .signals where two are 14being secured'to the upperextremity of arm 12. A horizontally extendingpin 15 is carried'by the lower'portion-of indicating ating mechanism forsimultaneously maniparm 12 extendingradiallyifrom the verticalportion-thereofinposition to contact the upper edge of pedestal 10 andis adapted to be seated in a suitable notch or recess -16'formed in saidedge tonormally hold the indicator side of pedestal 10.- A spring 20 maybeinterposed between the under side of pedestal 10 and a nut or pin 21secured to the lower extremity of bolt 18, resiliently holding the lowerportion of arm 12 against its seat 10,

Indicators A are preferably provided with illuminating means, such asthe electric light bulbs 22, secured in suitable sockets 23 electricallyconnected to a source of electricity through cable 2 1, which'passesthrough the f interior of arm 12'and pedestal '10.

The carriage bolt jorshaft=18 has rigidly secured thereto a rocker arm25, which is suitably connected "to an operating handle foroscillatingindicating arm 12 and the indicator A in eitherright or leftdirections.

I As shown in Fig. 1, the front signalling device is mounted on thefrontside ofthe radiator. 5,- the fastening bolts passing c-ators.Operatin handle 26 will be held in whereby bothindi'cators A willthrough the apertures in attaching flan e 11 and through the aperturesin, said ra iator and is operated preferably b means of an elongatedhorizontal rod or wire 26 having its forward'endconnected with rockerarm 25 and extending through radiator 5, partition 8 and the dash 9, andterminating at its rear end in an Operating handle 26", Operating rod 26carries a pair of adjustable stops 27 disposed on opposite sides ofpartition 8 in spaced relation thereto. Balance springs 28 are coiledabout rod 26 interposed between the stops 27 and the front and rearsides of partition 8 respectively, adapted to resiliently returnindicator A to forwardly pointing, non-signalling" position whenmovedtherefrom.

A fixed electrical contact 29 is preferably securedto the forward sideof dash 9 suitably connected to a source of electricity and having adependingend inposition to contact either of a pairjof spaced flanges30* on movable contact 30, which is rigidly secured adjacent the rearend of operating rod 26. Movablelcontact 30 is connected with cable 24of the forward signal l The rear signal may be mounted on any suitablesupporting member at the rear of the car and has its rocker arm 25connected hy a link". or arm 31 with the lower endof a relatively largelever32, which maybe pivotedflintermediately on the forward side ofpartition 8. Link 31 is shown bent outward- 1y and-then inwardly, havinga relatively J long'horizontal portion, the forward end of whichconnects with lever 32. It will be noticed that lever :32 swings in aplane diagonally disposed with reference to the .7 floor oft-he car,enabling its upper end to be connected-to operatingrod' 26. vThisconnection may be as shown in Fig. 4, wherein the u'ppenend of lever 32is twisted and slotted at 32, operating rod 26 passing through saidslot-andheld against lateral displacement therefrom by means eta-stop 33engaging said'lever on the forward side thereof. The electric conductoror cable 24 connected with the I'fear'eignal is connected with the cable24 of'the forward signal,

be simultaneouslyilluminated. i Y

i Operation.

"The-operation of my device williperhaps 1 be obvious from-the foregoingdescription,-

but may be briefly summarized as follows Assumingtlie parts to beinnormalposition, as illustrated in Fig.- 1, it ie olily necessary'for theautomobile driver to pull or depress operating handle 26 to Causeindicators AI'iIO be immediately oscillated to left or right signallingpositions respectively,

and tosimultaneouslyilluminate said indiits desired move position aslong as the the car. i

yzontal-lyextendin indicator having the pin 15 to be seated in notch 16thereby preventing vibration or accidental oscillation of the indicatorswhen the car is in mo tion. j The dotted lines in Fig. 3 indicaterightand left positions ofthc arrows A,the movements thereofpof course,being efl'ected by the; longitudinal movement of operating rod 26 Rod 26alsois operative to reciprocate lever 32, thereby oscillating arm 25 inthe rear signal simultaneously with th operation of the forward signal.

It willbe noted that the forward signal is mounted on radiator 5 in suchposition that the indicator A extends above the top line of radiator 5and hood 6 rendering itself obserw blev from the sides ofthe-automobile,It will, of course, be understood that either the front or rear signalmay. be employed without the opposite si loonnected thereto, and thatmoreover t e illuminating means fo indicators A may be disoperation ofthe turning indicator and the means v forgilluniiirating the same whenturned co-operate" to provide a highly encient signal which willreadily. attract the attention of: other drivers and, edestrians.

i From the foregoing description it willbe seenthat I have provided asimple but'efiicient turnsignal for automobiles capable of attachmentto'any standard type of automobile a nd operative tol signal withoneindicator right and lefb r turns, said indicator beingr observablefromboth sides of It will, of coursebennderstood that various changesmaybe made in the form, deta ls, arrangement and proportions of'partswlthout departing from the scope of the in-' vention. p p H a What isclaimed is: f i p 1. Signal apparatus of the class described comprisinga ollow basememher adapted to be secured to a motor vehicleand having anupstandlng sleeve, a substantially horia dependingqsleeve teescopeiwithfsmd first mentioned sleeve and capable ofoscillationthereon, a; rocker arm secured. to said last i mentioned sleeve, "a,substantially horizontalrod connected to said rocker ai -In andextending into the bod ofsaid vehicle, and means for limitin t ettorwardand rearward movement- 0 said arm; whereby'said indicator willbe turned to either right or left signalling positions when said rod ismoved to said extreme positions a substantially stationary memberthrough which said rod passes, and elastic balancing elements connectedwith saidrod at each side of said stationary element and engaging saidstationary element to return said indicator to normal position whenmoved therefrom.

said indicator to normal position when moved therefrom in eitherdirection.

3.- Signal apparatus of the class described, comprising a tubularbracket having an upstanding substantially vertical portion an indicatorhaving a stem telescoped with the upstanding portion of said bracket andseated therein the upperedge of said bracket having a recessed portionand said stem carrying a laterally projecting stud adapted to bereleasably retained by said recessed portion to hold said indicator innormal position, and means controllable from the interior of a motorvehicle for" swinging said indicator to either left or V rightindicating positions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ADOLPH WILLIAMSON.

